Small, economical Ute?

[JB]

I was whining about the cost of operating and maintaining my 1999 Mercedes ML430.

#3 Daughter interrupted me to say she wants it and will give me big bux (well, bigger than I could get from anyone who doesn't know the car and how she has been babied) for it. She wants something that could tow her Boston Whaler Outrage II and still be a luxo vehicle. Her Prius doesn't do that sort of thing.

So now I am in search of a small ute, something that can deliver 25mpg or better on regular, has luxury features like. . . leather, power seats, moon roof, premium sound system, good ride on the hiway, state-of-the-art technology, etc, etc.

Option 1: Buy used for cash. This means many miles on a 6 to 10 year old car.

Option 2: Put 6 or 7 grand down and finance a small (less than 10K) amount. This would get me a 2 to 4 year old car with less than 50K.

Option 3: Put 6 or 7 grand up front on a lease and have small lease payments for 36 to 42 months and an actual equity position at the end.

Prime candidates for option 1 are all Subaru Foresters. Prime candidates for option 2 are Foresters and Ford Escapes. Option 3 is available on any make, though I like the Foresters and Escapes (maybe a Mariner) best. We have 2 Subarus in the family and both are very well loved, but I was always a Ford truck guy.

I need to remember that I will be 74 next month. . . 80 or nearly so when any long financial contract runs out. I don't know if I will still be driving at 80.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

Sounds like Option 2 would be a good bet.
I have listened to a ton of those finance guys that preach about always put a good down on a car that way you cover up any deperication at the begining. Then if you need to sell it sooner than you think you are still in the good.

As for the SUV, Ford Explorer, and S-10 Blazers are good for all that you listed. The fords have better towing than the chevys. But the mileage is a little better with the chevy.
You could pay cash for one of those and still have a little for the boat.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

I can't say on Ford or Subaru, but I have 58K on my Chevy Trailblazer and I've yet to have any issues. It tows my 17' Sea Nymph with ease.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

I think I would go with option #2 JB.
Both those vehicles are pretty good although I think the Subaru has the upper hand in a direct comparison.
Another consideration you might want to quickly look at in vehicles is the Toyota Highlander 4 cylinder (not V-6). This is a pretty high quality ute...not too big, good mileage (much better than the V-6) and good resale value. They come with a full range of luxury option stuff so you could probably find one of the higher optioned ones.
I'm not sure what your towing needs, if any, might be but that might be the deciding factor?
Regardless, I would definitely stay away from buying brand new given the depreciation of the vehicles vs. the great value out there in the used market.
Anywhoooo, my two bits.
BP

 

[JB]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

Thanks for the input, guys. I won't need to tow over about 1200-1500#.

Right now the leading candidate is a 2007 Subie Forester X Limited (every option except the fuel thirsty turbo) with 22K on it for about 18 grand. Going to drive it in the morning. They also have a new Forester X Limited available for lease that I will look at.

#1 Daughter's '06 Forester gets about 29 on the hiway and she drives faster than I do. She says that she gets 30 when she obeys the speed limits.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

I guess my concern is ease of entry and exit. Subie's are nice but small... seriously how many mikes do you really drive in a year now? I would almost toss the MPG by the wayside and go for comfort.

My wife has a 4Runner but that even feels cramped at times. If the wife and I did not drive so many miles I would go Tahoe for comfort or a Caddy

Mark42 just got rid of his Lincoln which is very comfortable too.

How many miles do you anticipate driving?

How much towing do you figure you will do?

 

[JB]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

Very little towing. I will need a small boat. . .probably a Whaler 13 or a tinny when Lake Sunshine is ready for fishing, but that will stay there 95% of the time. Other than that maybe a utility trailer once in a while to pick up or deliver outboards, furniture or what have you

I am currently driving 10-12K per year. I no longer plan those 5-8,000 mile tours of the country.

If I were still as rich as I was ten years ago I would get a new Mercedes GLK, but almost all of my retirement savings went away to doctors, hospitals, crashed economy and frivolous spending on my descendants and the Love Of My Life. Boats? Boats? Well, maybe a lot on boats, too. Don't regret a minute of it but the fact remains that it is almost gone and I am a few breaths away from destitution. That is why I need the mental discipline of a smaller, more economical vehicle.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

Toyota Rav 4 or Lexus RX, the Honda CRV is nice as well.

 

[JB]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

Thanks, W03C. The Lexus is out of my price range. The newer models of the RAV4 and CRV are just too ugly for me. I like the earlier CRVs and have looked at a few and I have looked at some Toyota Highlanders. Just haven't found one that rang my bell.

 

[Steroumai]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

If your looking for something a little out of the box I would recommend a Suzuki Grand Vitara Limited. I own a 2001 and the truck is a dream. The ride is not as comfortable as a CRV or Rav 4 since it is built on a truck frame instead of a car frame, but that is a far exchange to me. My Vitara has 86k on it and I have no problems. The limited is fully loaded (leather seats, power mirrors/locks/sunroof/windows, air, tilt, cruise) except for power seats, which I find I don't need since I do not adjust my seat every time I get in the vehicle.

The Suzuki's are also a little cheaper than their other Japanese counterparts since not too many people recognize Suzuki as a car manufacturer, but they still hold a strong value for resale just like their counterparts.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

My vote would go towards the Forester. I would seriously consider one of those as my next car.

If you really want to pamper yourself, find a loaded AWD Chrysler Pacifica (throw your fuel economy desires out the window). My wife and I had a 2004 that we absolutely loved more than any other car we've ever had before or since. High gas prices and other financial difficulties we were having at the time forced us to trade it in on a basic sedan. However, our financial situation has greatly improved since then and we will be probably be buying another Pacifica next year. Lots of MB tech in those.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

First off JB make sure it's a decision you can live with. Did you not down size a few years back and decide it was not for you? I know times and circumstances change (lord do i know). That said the second option looks like the best answer both financially and dependability wise. 50K miles is nothing on a newer model auto. If it was maintained correctly (timely oil changes), he11 its barely broken in.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

JB the only issue I see with the Subies is getting in and out at 74 they are pretty close to the ground. I am a Ford man myself but just picked up a 1998 Chevrolet S10 4door Blazer it has every possible creature comfort you will find in an American automobile that doesnt have the Caddy or Lincoln name . This thing has power everything and adjustable lumbar on both front seats and is high enough being a 4X4 for me at 5'9" to slide right into it even has the milage and trip computer in the roof console and a place to put the garage door remote up there where its hidden out of the way. You can find newer versions with low miles in the $6000.00- $8000.00 range and they get 21+ on the highway.



Rick

 

[rbh]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

well sir you have two subarus already, and if your anything like my father who is about you age, the biggest thing for him is getting in and out.
so when you open the door, the seat is at the height of the bottom of your butt. Sit and swing legs in and out.
option #4, find a vehicle that easy to get in and out of
rob

 

[JB]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

Well I drove the '07 Forester and liked it. Then I drove the '10 Forester X Limited and fell in love.

The '10 is a little bigger, taller, wider and (would you believe?) more economical. The seat is just about the right altitude; zero sweat getting in and out and seats even more comfy than the ML. The sound system is even better than the Bose in the ML, too.

I leased it. They are installing a tow package and hitch and putting in all weather floor mats. Heidi and Lance are coming tonight to get their ML and I should have the Subie delivered timorrow. I will post pix.

Oh, there is one thing. I have had several TOY-otas; I now have a KUB-ota and a SUB-aru. What would a REAL-ota or a SUPER-aru be like?

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

Fuji Heavy industries, they build some nice stuff.
Sounds like a really nice car.

 

[JB]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

This is what she looks like:

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

Very nice. Love the new style Foresters.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

Congrats on your new lease!

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Small, economical Ute?

Nice looking ride. Great color too. May she serve you well.